The middle part between the blade and the handle is called the shank. On its lower part tip or blade is made. A flathead screwdriver, also called a slotted screwdriver, is a tool with a wedge-shaped flat tip that is designed to fit into the notch on a slotted screw. These tools can come in various sizes and lengths, including oversized flathead screwdrivers that are useful in automotive work, standard-size screwdrivers for furniture construction, and precision flathead screwdrivers that are suitable for working on computers and other delicate electronics. Is it possible to build a toolkit without screwdrivers? We don’t think so. In the average home, you’ll find a vast array of different screws, all of which will – as sod’s law dictates – require the screwdriver which isn’t the one you’re holding in your hand. This is why it pays to invest in the best screwdriver set you can afford, so you’ll always have the right tool for any screw – be it Posidrive or Phillips, Torx or truss head.

Here we’ll explain all the key technical features you need to consider and suggest some of our favourite screwdriver sets. Read on and you’ll find everything from screwdriver sets for the reluctant DIYer to the most proactive home improvement enthusiast.The grip is usually made of metal, plastic, rubber, or wood. The handle is usually designed to exert maximum torque without your hand slipping. Plastic handles are commonly used because of their durability, but rubber grips are also added to provide comfort while using it. Before you buy the biggest set you can find, ask yourself what your priorities are – if you just want a set for occasional DIY, then you don’t need a 100-piece set with every possible head. Equally, if you need a set for specific technical jobs, in addition to everyday home DIY, then it pays to make sure you buy a set that covers every eventuality, and has a suitably wide range of head types and sizes. It comprises 17 screwdrivers, including three Torx, plus sets of imperial and metric Allen keys, and a universal handle with ten interchangeable ends. There’s something here for almost every kind of job. Sizes range from a big 8mm to 2mm straight-slot, with similar Phillips and Pozidriv options. Stanley always makes good-quality tools, and this set is no different. The blades are moulded directly into the handles to make them “virtually unbreakable”, and the handles themselves are large, with soft rubber for an excellent grip.

The length of the metal that runs from the handle to the tip is the shank. It is usually made chrome, steel, or another metal and needs to withstand the force applied by your hand. The shank and the handle need to be connected strongly so that it doesn’t fall off even while applying high pressure on the handle. Some models even have shanks that reach the full length of the handle. This is useful when a hammer is used to strike the end of the handle. When you’re ready to remove or change bits, you’ll need to take a dry cloth and wipe your hands free of any sweat or oil. This way you can get a good grip on the tip of the bit. All you need to do is pull the bit straight out and you’re all set. The carpenter screwdriver is made of a round rod and a flat tip. Its handle is flat on two sides (as shown in the figure). This enables the worker to exert full force or screwdriver. #15 Bolster ScrewdriverSimilar to flathead screwdrivers, there are a wide range of sizes and lengths for Phillips screwdrivers and they also come in both manually driven and electric options. While Phillips screwdrivers do provide better control and driving power, the tip can still slip out of the screw head if it is driven with too much force. Go slow to ensure that the screwdriver tip grips the screw properly to avoid stripping the screw head. As its name indicates these types of screwdrivers are used for tightening or loosening different types of screws. These are available in small as well as larger sizes. Flathead screwdrivers have a handle of wood or plastic fixed to them. Something a little bit different. Wera launched its handle shape in the 1960s, basing it on the contours of the human hand. And despite a few tweaks, it’s stayed basically the same ever since. Human hands, Wera says, haven’t changed in that time either. I assume you were confused between a screwdriver and a screw drive, though? Just keep reading, and all of your confusion will be resolved. The blade is the lower part of the shank. It is also known as a tip. This part is hardened and tempered.

One of the greatest tool inventions ever made is the screwdriver. Screwdrivers were reportedly created in the 15th century, and as we moved into the 21st century, you could find them in almost every toolbox. The purpose of a screwdriver is to both insert and remove screws and nuts. If you want to replace a watch’s battery, you won’t use the same screwdriver you use to hang a shelf on a wall. The different functional screwdriver design types are described below.

Read Also: Different Types of Springs and Their Applications [Full Guide] The Function of Various Types of Screwdrivers Tri-wing screwdrivers are costly and not easily available like other drivers. These drivers were previously manufactured for use in aerospace engineering, but now you can easily find them in home electronics. #14 Carpenter Screwdriver A halfway house between the Stanley Fat Max set and the cheaper ones, this set from Draper Tools offers a good range of different blades. Handle, generally wooden or plastic handles, are fixed to the screwdrivers. To save the wooden handle from being broken, an iron is fixed to the handle.#2. Shank This is a specialised set of electrical screwdrivers, all fully insulated. You get two handles, and 17 inserts, all 154mm long, to go in them, plus a matching pair of pliers and insulation strippers. All the blades are extra-slim for working with sunken screws or those that are kept down by springs, and you get a selection of straight, Phillips, Pozidriv and Torx ends, none of them particularly big.

Sets that comprise a universal handle with many interchangeable tips are popular because they’re light and easy to carry, but once you lose one of the tips it tends to stay lost – they’re not very big and are often dull in colour. Lose too many and you’ll have to buy a new set of tips, or potentially replace the whole set. Can’t I just buy any old cheap screwdrivers? Consider how much maintenance you’re comfortable doing. If you only plan on fixing a few furniture pieces, a model with six of the most widely used bits is all you need. Sometimes the model will have a handle that doubles as storage for the bits. If you’ve ever been to a hardware store, you’ve probably seen hundreds of screwdrivers in a variety of designs, sizes, and other characteristics. Actually, the type of screwdriver you use depends entirely on the type of recess or screw drive you use.The different types of blade tips commonly used are Philips head, Flat-head, Torx or Star, Hexagon, and Square or Robertson. Everything about this set is sensibly designed, from the shot-blasted tips that reduce breakage, to the ergonomic shapes and smooth domed ends to the handles that allow them to spin easily. Colour-coded ends mean you’ll soon be able to identify the tool you want without having to peer at the tip.